Infamous Suburban Marijuana Tycoon Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Drug Charges
On May 20th, based on a tip from her neighbors, the Drug Enforcement Agency raided the home of Andrea Sanderlin, now referred to as the “Pot Mom” of Suburban Queens. DEA agents seized nearly 3,000 marijuana plants in a grow house registered to Sanderlin’s business, Fantastic Enterprises. The plants were worth $3 million. They also raided Sanderlin’s home, and arrested her on federal drug charges.
On Friday, June 28th, Sanderlin appeared in federal court in her orange jumpsuit with freshly-bleached hair, and pleaded not guilty to the federal drug charges.
Sanderlin has specifically been charged with manufacturing and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it, and for maintaining a warehouse where marijuana was grown and processed.
Her defense attorneys have reportedly put together a bail package that they hope will win the Pot Mom her freedom. Her plea of “not guilty” was part of that deal. Her trial has been tentatively scheduled for July 15th.
Sanderlin’s situation – a single suburban mother of two daughters – drew comparisons to popular television show “Weeds,” in which the main character is a widowed mother of two sons and runs a huge marijuana operation.
However, prosecutors said in the arraignment that Sanderlin is no different than Colombian drug lords.
Currently, investigators are unclear on how long Sanderlin has run her operation, but she registered her business, Fantastic Enterprises, in July 2007. She reportedly told friends and neighbors that she either sold baby furniture, or was an interior designer.
The federal drug charges could land Sanderlin in jail for up to 10 years.
The Drug Bust That Led to Federal Drug Charges
After the DEA received an anonymous tip about Sanderlin, they watched her activities for a week before arresting her on federal drug charges.
Sanderlin reportedly owned three cars – a 2004 Jeep Liberty and a 2005 Chevrolet van, as well as a Mercedes SUV. She also took up horseback riding with one of her daughters, and for a short time kept a horse at a nearby stable. According to reports, she sold the animal shortly before her arrest.
On the day of her arrest, officers were in front of her warehouse in Maspeth. Sanderlin saw them and initially refused to get out of her SUV. Agents observed her making phone calls, which they believe were to others to remove cash from her house.
Sanderlin did not give deputies permission to enter her warehouse, but they executed a search warrant on the building.
Officers in front of Sanderlin’s home said that they observed her nanny leave the house with Sanderlin’s 3 year old daughter in a taxi, and return a short time later on foot. When the nanny exited the house with a bag to get into a second taxi, the agent stopped her and found $7,900 inside the bag. The nanny told the officer that she had been instructed to take the young girl to her father – Sanderlin’s boyfriend – and return to the house to get as much cash as she could.
When agents searched Sanderlin’s home, they could another $6,000, as well as books on growing marijuana.
Sanderlin and her daughters had only lived in the 5-bedroom house for a year, and according to reports, she had told her children in recent weeks that they would have to move out. The house was listed for $13,500 a month.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Federal Drug Charges
Former U.S. Attorney Pete Strom’s experience in dealing with government investigations provides the experience that you need when you are faced with an arrest or investigation on federal drug charges. Given that most drug cases involve a search and seizure, we will analyze all of the evidence to determine how to present the most effective defense possible through our familiarity with the Federal Judicial Process and South Carolina’s criminal law. Contact the Strom Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800
